Metra has unveiled its 2025 construction programme, detailing a series of infrastructure improvements across its network in the Chicago metropolitan area.
The planned works include upgrades at 52 stations, the replacement of 43 grade crossings, and major bridge and track renewal projects. These efforts aim to enhance service reliability and safety for passengers across Metra’s 11 lines.
Key projects for 2025 include the replacement of ageing bridges on the UP North Line, track, electrical and signal upgrades on the Metra Electric Line, and large-scale tie replacement across three lines. The programme also includes smaller infrastructure improvements throughout the network.
Construction work is already underway and is expected to continue through autumn, weather permitting.
Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said:We plan to take full advantage of the construction season to address projects big and small across the railroad. Thanks to our leaders in Washington and Springfield, Metra has received significant financial support in recent years to help us begin to address a backlog of critical capital projects that will benefit our riders for years to come.
Metra’s 2025 capital programme allocates funding across several key areas:
- Stations and Parking: 34.9 million USD
- Track Maintenance: 48.1 million USD
- Bridge Projects: 46.2 million USD
- Grade Crossing Replacements 5.9 million USD
- Signal, Electrical, and Communications Upgrades: 39.2 million USD
Some projects are also supported by funding from previous years’ capital programmes, municipalities, and Metra’s freight railway partners.
Station Improvements
Upgrades are planned at 52 of Metra’s 243 stations. Major accessibility and infrastructure works continue at 87th and 95th Street stations on the Metra Electric Line.
Other scheduled improvements include platform repairs or replacements at Morton Grove, Golf, Grayslake, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Pingree Road, Kedzie, and Geneva stations.
Meanwhile, the Rock Island Line will see platform, parking, and shelter improvements at 115th Street/Morgan Park Station, and construction will continue on the new Auburn Park station.
Track and Road Crossing Upgrades
Metra and its partners will replace approximately 117,000 railway ties in 2025, with major tie and rail replacement projects planned on the Rock Island Line, Milwaukee District North Line, and Metra Electric Line.
Infrastructure work continues on the Metra Electric Line in preparation for a fourth track, while the UP West third track project will remove a bottleneck between West Chicago and Geneva.
What’s more, grade crossing improvements are scheduled at 43 locations systemwide, including crossings on the Rock Island, SouthWest Service, Milwaukee District North and West, Metra Electric, BNSF, and Union Pacific lines.
Bridge and Signal Improvements
A significant project continues on the UP North Line to rebuild 11 bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Addison Street in Chicago. The 337 million USD project will also replace four miles of track and nearly two miles of retaining walls.
The Rock Island Line will also see continued work on the Morgan Street bridge replacement.
Signal upgrades in 2025 include the replacement of the 124-year-old 16th Street Tower on the Rock Island Line and improvements on the Metra Electric Line to support the South Shore Line expansion. SMART crossing technology will be expanded, allowing remote monitoring and proactive maintenance at crossings on the Milwaukee District West and Metra Electric lines.
